SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW: John ‘Woody’ Almind, retired Air Force colonel
With his love of country and community, John “Woody” Almind’s can-do spirit has rallied volunteers to produce the successful Wreaths Across America event for the past three years.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, local Scouts placed 740 Christmas wreaths on the graves of veterans in three O’Fallon and two Shiloh cemeteries. The O’Fallon Rotary Club raised more than $8,000 to purchase the wreaths to honor the veterans.
National Wreaths Across America Day has been observed annually the last 27 years in December in cemeteries across America. Almind was so moved by one he attended, he brought the project to the attention of the O’Fallon organization.
“I was touched by a ceremony I saw at Alton National Cemetery four years ago and decided to perform a ceremony in O’Fallon three years ago,” he said.
Members of the O’Fallon Rotary Club and an army of dedicated residents believe in the Wreaths Across America mission: “Remember. Honor. Teach.”
Wreaths Across America strives to remember fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach children about the selfless sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve freedom, Almind said.
As an O’Fallon Rotarian for six years now, Almind is currently the Veteran’s Affairs Committee chairman, overseeing the Wreaths Across America event and This Able Veteran, which is a program providing dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Almind has a way to galvanize a team — very organized, he keeps everyone abreast of all the details and what needs to be done. His motto: “Volabamus, Volamus ... We flew, We fly” marks all his correspondence.
An Air Force colonel, Almind retired in 2010 after 30 years in the military, mainly as a pilot of KC-135 Air Refueling Tankers. He was combat-tested and distinguished as a flying squadron commander.
He lived in O’Fallon from 1993-96 and then moved to Shiloh when he and his family returned in 2006. Almind, 61, is originally from New Jersey.
Almind’s Air Force background
He enlisted in 1977, first serving as a Titan II missile combat crew member. While at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona in 1978, he was named Airman of the Year.
From 1980-84, Almind attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, earning a bachelor of science degree in political science and international affairs. In 1993, he received a master’s degree in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida.
During Operation Desert Storm, he flew 48 combat support missions and received his first Air Medal, serving as an instructor pilot in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
His second Air Medal was earned by flying 36 missions in support of Operation Allied Force, operating out of Mont de Marsan, France.
After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the colonel was the first Fairchild AFB commander chosen to deploy his squadron. He superbly led a Tanker Task Force from a classified location setting up an air bridge for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Additionally, Almind has received numerous honors and meritorious medals during his career, including both Wing Aircrew Training Officer of the Year and Air Mobility Command KC-135 Instructor Pilot of the Year while stationed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.
He has directed, planned, validated, and executed some of the most highly classified, time-sensitive air refueling and airlift missions for special operations worldwide.
While assigned to the Pentagon, Almind advised the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman on strategic planning issues and actively participated in the development of national security policy.
While stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, he helped enforce the United Nation’s no-fly zone over Iraq with an impressive 100 percent mission-effectiveness rating.
Almind remains actively involved in Air Force
Since January 2011, he has worked as an Air Force civilian, assigned to the Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB.
He is deputy chief of the nuclear operations division and directs 34 active duty, reservists and civilian officers for the nuclear airlift and air refueling, nuclear command, control and communication, international treaties, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear mission and operations.
Almind also serves as the special assistant for nuclear matters, to enable no-fail planning and execution of this Air Force priority focus area, and assists U.S. Transportation Command, headquartered at Scott, in formulating nuclear policy for 27 active duty Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve component units.
“I absolutely love it,” he said.
How ‘Woody’ came about, the personal side of Almind
So, how did he get the nickname “Woody”?
“A buddy told me I looked like the bartender on ‘Cheers’ and everybody laughed. Then I said something silly, and he said: ‘More than look like Woody, you act like Woody!’”
Almind not only devotes time to Rotary but is an usher at First United Methodist Church in O’Fallon and a board member on the St. Louis Air and Museum in Cahokia.
Almind and his wife, Marilyn, have two children: Brandon, 25, and Della, 23.
After declaring Wreaths Across America “a total success,” he has set his sights on next year’s event, which will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 19 — the third Saturday — at the O’Fallon City Cemetery.
Meet John ‘Woody’ Almind
Q: Do you have words to live by?
A: “The Air Force Core Values: Integrity First; Service Before Self; Excellence in all we do.”
Q: Whom do you most admire?
A: “George Washington, the father of our great country!”
Q: If you could spend time with a famous person, past or present, whom would it be?
A: “George Washington.”
Q: What is the last book that you read?
A: “‘Christianity and World Religions’ by Adam Hamilton.”
Q: What do you do for fun and relaxation?
A: “Travel.”
Q: What is the usual state of your desktop?
A: “Very messy, but I can usually find what I’m looking for.”
Q: What did you want to do career wise when you were growing up?
A: “In high school, one of my neighbors was an Air Force reservist, and I wanted to join the military.”
Q: What do you think is your most outstanding characteristic?
A: “I try to be compassionate.”
Q: What irritates you most?
A: “People that can’t have civil discourse with respect to politics and life in general.”
Q: What type of music do you listen to?
A: “Soft rock ... easy listening.”
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: “Working with great Americans and serving this great nation!”
Q: If you were independently wealthy, what would you be doing?
A: “Exactly what I’m doing right now.”
Q: When they make a movie of your life, who would play you?
A: “My best friend and mentor, Stan Dougherty.”
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you have with you?
A: “My Bible and my wonderful family.”